Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
In the early morning hours of April 21, 2007, David Mills and a friend got into a debate so heated that police were called. Police tried to restrain the men, but Mills began kicking, punching and biting the officers. As Mills became more violent and aggressive, officers used their Taser on him. According to the lawsuit filed by Mills’ mother, the Taser was used at least four times on Mills. After Mills told police he was under the influence of drugs, and again when police noticed Mills was not breathing, officers called for medical assistance. He was pronounced dead at Yale-New Haven Hospital less than two hours after the altercation started.
Following his death, Mills’ mother filed a wrongful death suit, listing both the town and Sgt. William Sikorsky as defendants, and claimed the officers used “unreasonable force” on her son. The police were not charged criminally with any wrongdoing. Earlier this week, Mills’ mother and the defendants settled the wrongful death case for $125,000. Her attorney stated, “Under the circumstances, we believe it is a reasonable settlement, considering the specific details concerning Mills and the use of Tasers.” As for the circumstances of the case, the medical examiner ruled Mills’ death as accident, “caused by ‘excited delirium’ with PCP intoxication a contributing factor.”
Mills’ death brought up the controversial use of Tasers in policing activates. According to Mills’ mother’s attorney, “Many police officers don’t realize a Taser is an inherently dangerous weapon, though the manufacturer touts it as a panacea for all dangerous situations. The use of it deserves much more study. What is necessary is an objective analysis of whether or not Tasers are more than instruments of torture, whether there should be limitations on their use, and whether or not police officers need additional training on their use.”
Hamden settles lawsuit in 2007 Taser death for $125K, www.CTPostChronicle.com October 19, 2012.
David Mills lost his life and a mother lost her twenty-six year-old son far too soon because of police negligence. Police officers have been known to use excessive or unreasonable force. Even if police officers are not found to be criminally liable for excessive or unreasonable force, officers and police departments can still be held civilly liable. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a police officer’s use of unreasonable or excessive force, contact the Broward personal injury attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona. The wrongful death lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona have dedicated the past twenty years to helping victims and their families recover compensation for their injuries and losses. Don’t hesitate; call (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation.
The Miami trial lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of personal injury accidents throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!